Wednesday, February 24, 2010

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The Truth Lives On

No great nation can ever survive its own temptations and its own follies that does not indoctrinate its children in the Word of God; ... for the righteousness of nations, like the righteousness of men, must take its source from these foundations of inspiration.

-- President Woodrow Wilson, 1911Truer words have rarely been spoken that are more applicable today than when first spoken.

I have been greatly enjoying the incredible musical talent of Rob Costlow the past several weeks. Today you can get your own sample for free. Download it today, enjoy it, then head back and buy an album from Magnatune, where you pay what you want for the music.

Monday, February 22, 2010

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Mitch Daniels Now "Open" to 2012 Presidential Run

From Washington Post: Daniels said he has had a number of conversations in recent months, "none initiated by me," where the question of a 2012 campaign came up. "Just to get them off my back, I agreed to a number of people that I will now stay open to the idea," he said. ...

"From now to a year-plus from now, that's all I'm going to do," he said. "And if these people are still around, and still not fully satisfied with the field, and if I don't see anybody who's raising what I think of as the survival issues for the country, I guess I'd listen, if it's not too late, which it might well be. I've told people if it's too late, so be it."

I can't think of anything better that could happen to America in 2012. He's a proven leader, with proven results. None of that hopenchange bull so many fell for two years ago.

Thursday, February 18, 2010

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Giving Up Socnets For Lent

It's a bit late, maybe, but I decided yesterday (after posting one update to Twitter, Facebook, et. al.) to give up online social networking for Lent. I'm not Catholic, and I don't usually do this Lent thing. But I do want to grow ever closer to my Creator and Savior, and that's what Lent is all about; eliminating a source of distraction in your life and shifting that focus to God.

Twitter, Facebook, and the myriad other social networking sites (including newcomer Google Buzz) can certainly be a source of great distraction. So, other than some already set up automated processes like blog posts being added to my feeds, etc., I will not be updating any of the social media outlets until after Lent (Easter Sunday). I will not be reading the feeds, catching the Tweets, or following the Buzz. I will, instead, be pushing myself to shift the time I would have spent on social networking toward enriching my relationship with the Creator of all things.

Starting now, as I dig back into the book of Job; yet another great man who walked with God. Watch for a new SOAP entry about him here soon.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

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Walking With God: Part 2

SOAP {Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer}:| ABOUT SOAPSCRIPTURE:9b Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation. Noah walked with God. 10 And Noah had three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth. 11 Now the earth was corrupt in God's sight, and the earth was filled with violence. 12 And God saw the earth, and behold, it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth. 13 And God said to Noah, "I have determined to make an end of all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence through them. Behold, I will destroy them with the earth. Genesis 6:9b-1222 Noah did ... all that God commanded him. Genesis 6:221 But God remembered Noah and all the beasts and all the livestock that were with him in the ark. And God made a wind blow over the earth, and the waters subsided. Genesis 8:11 And God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth. Genesis 9:128 After the flood Noah lived 350 years. 29 All the days of Noah were 950 years, and he died. Genesis 9:28-29

OBSERVATION: Noah had such favor in God's eyes that he was chosen to re-father the human race.

APPLICATION: Like Enoch, Noah walked with God. Unlike Enoch, Noah died. But not until practically every one else on earth had been destroyed in the Great Flood.

Noah was favored by God, because he was a just and righteous man. Different versions of the Bible call him "blameless," or "perfect in his generation." Certainly not sinless, but maybe as close as a human could be? Though God didn't spare Noah from the taste of death as he did Enoch, God did spare Noah from tasting the death he dealt out to the world's population with the great flood. Noah and his family were chosen to survive the flood and to rebuild the human race. While everyone he had ever known was killed, Noah lived in the safety of his ark.

Imagine being told to build a large vessel so that you and your family could live while everyone else died. Unfathomable! But not for Noah. While you or I might think it a joke or a prank and brush it off, Noah got to business. Noah did as he was told. Would you? Would I? Or would we die, too, and the whole human race with us.

For 350 years after the flood Noah lived, repopulating the earth through his descendents. Then he died. Enoch never died; God took him. Noah lived while everyone else died, and lived on for centuries before he died.

How am I even worthy to walk on the same planet as such great men as Enoch and Noah? Do I walk with God like they did? I like to think I try, but do I really?

PRAYER: God, I know that I can never compare to such great men as Enoch and Noah. I'm not worthy of the gift You've given me in Your Son. I'm not worthy of Your grace. As a sinful being, the only thing I am worthy of is death.

But through Your merciful grace, You've made me worthy. You've made me great. You've washed away my sin. You paid a debt I could never repay. But You gave it freely, and made me free.

But do I share with others how awesome You are? Do I serve as the hands and feet of Christ in a way that would make you proud? Help me to do so, Lord. Show me Your will. And give me the strength to obey.

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Walking With God

SCRIPTURE:21When Enoch had lived 65 years, he fathered Methuselah.22Enoch walked with God after he fathered Methuselah 300 years and had other sons and daughters.23Thus all the days of Enoch were 365 years.24Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him.Genesis 5:21-24

OBSERVATION: Enoch never died. He lived a life totally pleasing to God. Enoch walked with God. Then God took him. Plain and simple, God took Enoch.

APPLICATION: One of my favorite Christian tunes is "I Can Only Imagine" by MercyMe. I can only imagine what it will be like when I walk by your side. I hear it and think of my mother, who walked with God for as long as I know. Then God took her. But not like He took Enoch. My mother suffered with cancer the last year of her life, knowing the battle she was fighting long before any diagnosis was made. Then God took her from us. My mother passed away seven long years ago next month. God took her.

God took Enoch. But Enoch never suffered. Enoch never died. Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him. Boom, right off the face of the earth; no more Enoch. Because he lived a Godly life. He was a Godly man. He walked with God. He knew -- he knows -- what it's like, he doesn't have to imagine. For Enoch is with God today, still walking.

Can you imagine what that would be like? Theories differ on how soon after death God takes His people home. Some believe it happens right away. I know that's what I want to believe; that mom was with us one moment and with God the next. Others believe that God's people will sleep until the Second Coming of His Son. We'll know, someday. Until then, we can only try to imagine.

But Enoch, he doesn't have to imagine. Because he walked with God, because he trusted and obeyed God, because he pleased God, God took him. Incredible! Hebrews 11:5-6 reveals that 5By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God.6And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Because Enoch sought God he walked with God. Because he walked with God he received the ultimate reward: eternity with God. With no delay. Enoch was not found because God took him. Oh to be considered by God as such a faithful servant as Enoch! I can scarcely imagine!

PRAYER: Father, I want to be Your faithful servant. While human doubt tells me that I could never be taken as Enoch was, my faith tells me that You can do whatever You wish. I want to please You, Father, even if my faithfulness pales in comparison to that of Enoch. In any case, Lord, I know that I will be with you again some day. Until then, I will just have to imagine.

Friday, February 12, 2010

Ted Dekker's newest novel, The Bride Collector, due in stores on April 13, 2010, is at once both haunting and moving.

FBI Special Agent Brad Raines is on the trail of a delusional psychopathic killer who believes he is delivering to God His perfect bride. This killer dubbed the Bride Collector, after performing his ritualistic act of horror, leaves each victim with a bridal veil. As Raines and his partner Nikki Holden, a young forensic psychologist with whom Raines shares a mutual attraction, follow The Bride Collector's trail of sacrifice, they are baffled by the complete lack of any actionable evidence at the crime scenes.

Only when The Bride Collector decides to make a game of his offerings to God by enlisting Raines as his opponent does the FBI start to zero in on their suspected target. At the same time, the Bride Collector is zeroing in on his next target -- one of the FBI's very own, Nikki Holden. As Raines and Holden enlist the help of the societal outcasts at the Center for Wellness and Intelligence, a private psychiatric center that houses some extremely gifted psychotics and schizophrenics, author Dekker blows the story wide open with some very unexpected and very disturbing revelations.

The Bride Collector is both very typical of Dekker's suspense writing while at the same time very unlike much of his earlier work. Dekker, known by his fans to bury his spiritual message deep within the context of his work, weaves a tale overtly spiritual with a message that all of society needs to hear: every one of us is loved.

All too often today we are busy trying to be better than everyone else. We judge ourselves and each other by some unknown, unseen, unofficial guideline that determines where we belong in society. In doing so, some very special people become societal outcasts while others are elevated to levels of extreme fame and stardom. What we fail to realize is that in God's eyes, we are all equally loved. We are all equally special. We are all famous to God. From the top of the charts to the bottom of the barrel, we are all children of God and recipients of His infinite love. We are all God's favorites.

In The Bride Collector, Dekker expertly delivers this message in a way that comes across loud and clear while never being preachy or condescending. While I have read and reviewed nearly all of Ted Dekker's writing, The Bride Collector stands out from the pack as one of the best -- a critical read! The beginning will entice you. The middle will shock you. The ending will move you.

Ted Dekker (born October 24, 1962) is a New York Times best-selling author of more than twenty novels. He is best known for stories which could be broadly described as suspense thrillers with major twists and unforgettable characters, though he has also made a name for himself among fantasy fans.

Early in his career he wrote a number of spiritual thrillers and his novels were lumped in with ‘Christian Fiction’ a surprisingly large category. His later novels are a mix of mainstream novels such as Adam, Thr3e, Skin, Obsessed and BoneMan’s Daughters, and Fantasy thrillers that metaphorically explore faith. Best known among these is his Circle Series: Green, Black, Red, White and The Paradise Books: Showdown, Saint, and Sinner.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

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Google Buzz

If you, like most connected people online, use Gmail for your email, or Twitter or Facebook for social networking, or just read one of the many tech blogs, you've probably already heard about Google Buzz. This isn't a review, really, or an endorsement -- I've barely had half a day to play around with it -- it's more of just an informational tool. A conversation starter.

Google Buzz, like any other social networking tool, allows you to connect with friends to share status updates, blog posts, videos, pictures, recommended reading, and more. What is nicest about Buzz is that it is integrated with Gmail. And Google Reader. And I'm not yet sure what else. I wonder if Google has any plans to integrate it with Jaiku -- the social networking site they purchased but seem to have done nothing with.

Buzz pulls in feeds from all your social networking sites and blogs, but doesn't push Buzz posts to them. I find that odd, as it allows you to use Buzz as a central information site while putting posts everywhere else, but doesn't allow you to use Buzz as the one source to feed all those other sites. It seems to me that would make more sense.

Either way, Google Buzz is pretty interesting. I haven't decided yet just how much I like it. Stay tuned for more on that.

Monday, February 8, 2010

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Post Super Bowl Thoughts

The big game is over, and fans of the Indianapolis Colts are experiencing emotions that range from disappointment to anger, embarrassment to frustration, and just about everything in between. I am one of the very few people living in Indianapolis who is not a Colts fan. I'm originally from Cincinnati, which makes me a Reds fan. Yeah, that's my point exactly -- baseball, not football.

But I went to a Super Bowl party and watched the game, and like every red-blooded American male, I cheered and jeered at the plays and calls by the officials (and the lack of several penalties that should have been imposed against New Orleans). But that's not what I'm writing about, believe it or not. I'm writing about people.

My wife and I were invited to a Super Bowl party by some friends of hers. I've met some of these people, but really barely know them. The women all belong to a group which is supported by one of the local churches. Most of the people in this group go to this church. My wife and I do not -- we attend a different church.

Now maybe I shouldn't be writing about this, because there will certainly be a certain type of person who takes great satisfaction in what I'm going to write. But, here I go.

LANGUAGE ALERT

This group of people who attend the same church and get together quite frequently for similar events has some strange characters in it. One in particular was sitting next to my son and I during the game. At one point in the game he had the same reaction that probably millions of Colts fans had: he began cursing. He used words like -- pardon me while I censor myself -- PU&@%*S and PI$&@D, and at one point just barely stopped himself from using the grand-daddy of all four letter words, well, you know which one. But not soon enough for others to be fooled.

The problem is, his language was wholly inappropriate for the company he was in (not that there is ever an appropriate time to use such language). I was shocked. Others in the group who probaboy know him better just ignored him. I don't know how. If I knew him better, I would have chastised him for using such language period, much less at a gathering of a small church group with very young children in the room.

I guess I really don't have much to say about it. And certainly someone somewhere is saying that it's not at all surprising because all Christians are hypocrites. Well, we aren't, and it is.

I'm not a big fan of Super Bowl parties. Or other similar gatherings. It wasn't what I would call a great time. And, deep inside, I feel a nagging sense of guilt for exposing my six year old son to the foul mouth of the one bad apple in the group. If my boy heard those words, and I can't imagine how he wouldn't, that's something I can never undo.

Monday, February 1, 2010

One of the most difficult things for parents who are trying to raise their children to serve God can be finding a Biblical text that young ones can understand. Having children aged six and three, this has been a challenge -- until recently.

God's Little Princess Devotional Bible: Bible Storybook includes such things as memory verses, tips on how to be truly beautiful (on the inside, not just the surface), and the all-important (for little girls) focus on girls and women of the Bible who made a difference. There are activities for a parent to do with the child, including singing and role plays, and special sections that focus on how God wants us to love one another (the most important commandment of all).

Each book of the Bible is broken down into two to four pages of insight and activity, making it the perfect bedtime devotional for every little Princess. It has truly been an answer to prayer, as our little Princess looks forward to her devotional every night so much that if she misses it she is disappointed. And best of all: it gives Daddy a little special time with his little girl!

There will be that time when every child needs his or her first "real" Bible, but there's no need to wait until then to start teaching them the Bible. With God's Little Princess Devotional Bible: Bible Storybook, you can get a head start on setting your little Princess on the right path right now.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Material Connection Disclosures

Some of the links in the posts herein are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers.

I received one or more of the products or services mentioned herein for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”